1st call tree surgery (first call trees)

frequently asked questions

• If it’s raining will you still be coming out as planned?
• Do you deliver the logs you provide?
• When you have completed your work on site – how will you leave it?
• Do you help with cats that have got stuck up trees??!
• When is the best time to trim back my hedges?
• When is the best time to cut down and remove my apple tree?
• When your team are onsite to do the work discussed, can I help?
• Do we need to be on site whilst your team carry out the work?
• What is a TPO?
• The council say my garden is within a conservation zone – what does that mean?
• How do I get permission to cut down my protected tree?
• Do you have a Health and Safety policy? Do you carry out Risk Assessments?
• Are you insured?

If it’s raining will you still be coming out as planned?

Our team are specially trained to work in all weather conditions, so unless it is unsafe and there will be a direct risk to public safety and to our staff, we will continue to work in most weather conditions. If there is lightening or gale force winds, then they will cease work and wait until safe to resume the project.

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Do you deliver the logs you provide?

Yes we can deliver both our half and full loads and will tip as close to your log storage area as we can, vehicle access permitting. Unfortunately it is not cost effective to deliver our bags, so do pop down to the nursery for these.

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When you have completed your work on site – how will you leave it?

On completion, your garden should be as we found it – depending on the specification of works. All arisings (branches, leaves, sawdust etc) from the works would have been removed by our teams unless any fire wood or wood chips are required for your own personal use. 

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Do you help with cats that have got stuck up trees??!

Unfortunately this is something we are unable to assist with so please don’t ask so we have to disappoint you. Generally in our experience until the cat has been stuck for 24hrs, it seems nothing can be done. After that time – the fire brigade may be able to assist. Alternatively, please contact the RSPCA who may have some suggestions to coax Kitty down!

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When is the best time to trim back my hedges?

Dependent on species, most of your hedge work is carried out in the summer months, however, certain hedges, conifers etc can be cut all year round dependent on your preference. Certain fast growing species, like Privet, if cut too early in the spring will be overgrown and “hairy” by the summer, so it is preferable to try and time them in early summer.

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When is the best time to cut down and remove my apple tree?

If a tree is being removed, then it’s irrelevant what time of year it is cut down and removed – weather, access permitting etc.

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When your team are onsite to do the work discussed, can I help?

We are delighted that you take an interest and are happy for you to observe at a safe distance. However, due to the conditions of our insurance, only qualified and employed personnel may be within the work site. 

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Do we need to be on site whilst your team carry out the work?

Not necessarily, the quotation you receive will be very detailed as to the scope and specification of works to be carried out based on our discussions with you during the site visit. The team carrying out the work will have a work sheet duplicating this specification and can work independently. However, in the case of reductions, hedges or trees, it is sometimes prudent to have customer feedback to guarantee the levels are as required. We have several regular customers with whom we have worked for a number of years and their requirements are specifically for us to carry out the work whilst they take their annual holidays abroad.

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What is a TPO?

Tree Preservation Order – a protection placed specifically on an individual tree or group of listed trees. No cutting of any live wood is permissible without local authority consent. No reputable tree surgeon would carry out tree works on a protected tree without consent. 

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The council say my garden is within a conservation zone – what does that mean?

Conservation area is a blanket protection zone usually encompassing many properties. All trees with a breast height stem diameter of 3 inches and above are protected, shrubs and hedging are not covered by this order. The local authority should be informed of any proposed works, if they do not respond within six to eight weeks; you are free to carry out the work.

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How do I get permission to cut down my protected tree?

The council will supply an application form upon which the tees intended for works should be listed and identified and a detailed specification of works for each tree. I.e. tree 3 - Ash Fraxinus Excelsoir– reduce by 2 metres (to suitable secondary growth point) the large lateral limb extending towards the bathroom window.

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Do you have a Health and Safety policy? Do you carry out Risk Assessments?

We maintain a strict health and safety policy with all staff able to carry out clear and informative full on-site risk assessments on a daily basis. There is a company health and safety policy which is available on request. 

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Are you insured?

1st Call is covered by £10 million in Public Liability and £10 Million Employers Liability insurance.

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